'''Fr. Anatoly Chistousov''' (in world ''Anatoly Ivanovich Chistousov'', born 1953, Kirov — killed [[February 14]], 1996, village Old Achkhoy, Chechnya) was a priest of Russian Orthodox Church, a rector of Michael Archangel church of city of Grozny, martyred in Chechnya.

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[[Image:Chistousov.jpg|thumb|Fr. Anatoly at the [[Michael Archangel church]] destroyed during fights]]

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[[Image:Grozny1.jpg|thumb|Michael Archangel Church, in 90th]]

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'''Fr. Anatoly Chistousov''' (in world ''Anatoly Ivanovich Chistousov'', born 1953, Kirov — killed [[February 14]], 1996, village Old Achkhoy, Chechnya) was a [[priest]] of [[Russian Orthodox Church]], a rector of Michael Archangel Church of city of Grozny. He was [[martyr]]ed in Chechnya.

== Life in world ==

== Life in world ==

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Father Anatoly Chistousov (full name is Anatoly Ivanovich Chistousov) was born in Kirov in 1953. He graduated a military college of navigators of the Air Forces and pedagogical institute (in absentia). In the eighties the XX-th century he served as the officer-tutor in one of military colleges of the city of Stavropol. In 1990 he became a parishener of a church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Stavropol just returned to believers after a few decades of Communism.

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Father Anatoly Ivanovich Chistousov was born in Kirov in 1953. He graduated from a military college of navigators of the Air Forces and pedagogical institute (in absentia). In the eighties the twentieth century he served as an officer-tutor in one of military colleges of the city of Stavropol. In 1990 he became a parishioner of a Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Stavropol that had only recently been returned to believers after decades of Communism.

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In 1993 he retired from of the army. The major of a reseve.

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In 1993 he retired from of the army, becoming a major of the reserves.

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On March 18, 1994 by Metropolitan Gedeon (Dokukin) he was ordained a deacon.

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On [[March 18]], 1994, he was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[deacon]] by Metropolitan Gedeon (Dokukin).

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On March, 20, 1994 he was ordained a priest. Before the ordination the metropolitan asked him: "And if you will be sent where it is restlessly, where it is dangerous, will you go?" He answered: "Where you will bless, Vladyko, there and I will go. No terrestrial circumstances are terrible for me"

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On [[March 20]], 1994, he was ordained a [[priest]]. Before his ordination he was asked by the metropolitan: "And if you will be sent where it is restlessly, where it is dangerous, will you go?" He answered: "Where you will bless, Vladyko, there and I will go. No terrestrial circumstances are terrible for me"

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== The serving in Chechnya ==

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==Serving in Chechnya==

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On March 21, 1994 he was appointed to help protopriest Peter Netsvetayev, the [[deanery|dean]] of orthodox churches of the Chechen Republic. Receiving the appointment Father Anatoly at once departed to Grozny, where in that time it had been very dangerous.

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On [[March 21]], 1994, he was appointed to help [[protopriest]] Peter Netsvetayev, the [[deanery|dean]] of Orthodox churches in the Chechen Republic. Receiving an appointment, Fr. Anatoly at once departed for Grozny, where at that time it was very dangerous.

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Father Anatoly at once acquired the love of parisheners of Michael Archangel church and inhabitants of the city of Grozny. Implicitly he executed obediences appointed by the dean, visited parishes for fulfilling church services, served reverentially, aspired as soon as possible to learn services.

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Fr. Anatoly at once earned the love of parishioners of Michael the Archangel Church and inhabitants of the city of Grozny. Implicitly he executed obediences appointed by the dean, visited [[parish]]es for fulfilling church services, served reverentially, and aspired as soon as possible to learn services.

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In December 1994 in Grozny large-scale war operation began. The temple appeared in epicentre of fights; one of the first shells desroyed the second floor of the church house, some shells got to the temple. But divine services proceeded already in the church cellar. Father Anatoly in the cassock went fearlessly among bullets and shells to soldiers, to the remaining inhabitants hiding in cellars of houses in the city, confessed, partaked, baptized. His cassock was shot through by bullets in several places, but he again and again went to those who waited for him.

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In December 1994 in Grozny a large-scale war operation began. The temple appeared in epicentre of the fighting; one of the first shells destroyed the second floor of the church building, some shells hit the temple, but divine services were conducted in the church cellar. Fr. Anatoly, in a cassock, went fearlessly among bullets and shells to assist the soldiers, to inhabitants who remained hidden in cellars of houses in the city. He confessed, partook [[communion]], and [[baptism|baptized]]. His cassock was shot through by bullets in several places, but he again and again went to those who waited for him.

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Soon after the beginning of war operations protopriest Peter Netsvetayev left the flared city and his flock. Without puzzling, Fr. Anatoly, still the beginning priest, headed the parish. The city was in fire, bullets whished, terrible explosions of aviabombs sowed destructions, but Fr. Anatoly continued to stay with his flock. He helped both Russians and Chechens as he could, shared the last that he had. Under his management the temple in baptistery, the only remained premises of the church house, has been arranged. Services in the new arranged temple were made constantly.

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Soon after the beginning of war operations protopriest Peter Netsvetayev left the city and his flock. Without questioning, Fr. Anatoly, still a beginning priest, headed the parish. The city was on fire, bullets whished, terrible explosions of aerial bombs sowed destruction, but Fr. Anatoly continued to stay with his flock. He helped both Russians and Chechens as he could, shared the last that he had. Under his management the [[temple]] in baptistery, the only remaining usable part of the parish home, has been arranged. Services in the newly arranged temple were conducted constantly.

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Since March, 15th, 1995 he was appointed the rector of Michael Archangel church in Grozny and the dean of orthodox churches in Chechnya. In view of disastrous financial conditions of the parish, metr. Gedeon decided to provide it from Diocese funds.

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On New Year's Eve of 1995 he was forcibly taken by bandits to the Grozny railroad station, where he was ordered to appeal to Russian defense forces to surrender. In response, Fr. Anatoly said nothing and silently blessed the soldiers.

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== Captivity and Martyr Death ==

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Since [[March 15]], 1995 he was appointed the rector of Michael Archangel Church in Grozny and the dean of Orthodox churches in Chechnya. In view of disastrous financial conditions of the parish, Metr. Gedeon decided to provide for it from Diocesan funds<ref name="p">[http://www.pobeda.ru/content/view/1315/10/ Life of the priest Anatoly Chistousov]</ref>.

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On January 29th, 1996, during the First Chechen war, he together with together with archpriest Sergius Zhigulin from External Church Relations Department were going to meet with Brigadier General Akhmed Zakayev to negotiate the release of a soldier of the Federal Forces from chechen captivity, however on the way to the Chechen capital from Urus-Martan, after negotiations they were captured by the armed group under Doku Makhayev's command themselves and were placed in a concentration camp of so-called «Department of state security of the Chechen republic Ichkeria».

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==Captivity and Martyr Death==

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On the end of first days of the captivity the prisoners under the offer of Father Anatoly made the Eucharist with available for them bread, consecrating it with their prayers to Body of Christ so that to have possibility to partake further.

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On [[January 29]], 1996, during the First Chechen war, Fr. Anatoly, together with archpriest Sergius Zhigulin (now Archimandrite [[Phillip (Zhigulin)|Phillip]]) from External Church Relations Department, was going to meet with Brigadier General Akhmed Zakayev to negotiate the release of a soldier of the Federal Forces Boris Sorokin from Chechen captivity. However, on the way to the Chechen capital from Urus-Martan, they were captured by an armed group under Doku Makhayev's command and were placed in a concentration camp of the so-called Department of State Security of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria. Afterwards the investigation established that the order to capture the priests had been given by same Zakayev<ref>[http://savelev.ru/journal/case/more/?id=19 Answer to an official inquiry of State Duma Deputy A. Savelyev from Procuracy of the Russian Federation, 20.06.2005]</ref>.

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From memoirs of Fr. Sergius: «When we shared the Sacrament, Father Anatoly extraordinary expressively looked at me, and I saw: there was occured with him that is called as [[uncreated light|transfiguration]]. The face of father Anatoly became surprisingly light, his widely opened eyes were full unprecedented before of light. He said: «Listen, brother, for this happiness is to suffer for the Christ, to die with His name on lips»<ref name="pobeda">[http://www.pobeda.ru/content/view/1315/10/ Life of the priest Anatoly Chistousov]</ref>.

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In the end of the first day of the captivity the prisoners, under the offer of Fr. Anatoly partook of the Eucharist with bread that was available for them, consecrating it with their prayers to Body of Christ making it possible to partake further<ref>[http://www.stavropol-eparhia.ru/personae/clergy/chistousov/02.html Witness of Arch. Phillip (Zhigulin)]</ref>.

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Further the prisoners was divided from each other. Fr. Anatoly was exposed to torture, but did not stipulated himself and not renounced belief and, as a result, has been shot by bandits. He was martyred in February 14th, 1996.

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From the memoirs of Fr. Sergius, "When we shared the Sacrament, Father Anatoly looked at me with an extraordinary expression. What I saw occur with him was a [[Transfiguration|transfiguration]]. The face of Fr. Anatoly became surprisingly light, his widely opened eyes were full unprecedented light. He said, "Listen, brother, for the happiness is to suffer for the Christ, to die with His name on ones lips"<ref name="p">[http://www.pobeda.ru/content/view/1315/10/ Life of the priest Anatoly Chistousov]</ref>.

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Fr. Sergius survived, he was released only after 160 days.

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After the prisoners were divided from each other, Fr. Anatoly was exposed to torture, but did not surrender himself nor renounced his belief and, as a result, he was shot by bandits. He was martyred in [[February 14]], 1996.

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On april 29, 2000 Federal Security Service of the Russia passed to metr. [[Kyrill I (Gundyayev) of Moscow|Kyrill of Smolensk]], Chairman of the External Church Relations Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, a selection of the documents testifying to destiny of the priest of Michael Archangel church Anatoly Chistousov, abducted by the Chechen terrorists on January, 29th, 1996.

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Fr. Sergius survived and was released after 160 days of captivity. He writes,<br/>

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During the period, when a destiny of fr. Anatoly remained unknown, the Church hierarchy undertook attempts of liberating the abducted priest, as well as and other clergymen and the children of Church captivated in the Chechnya. Sometimes prisoners eventually found freedom, in other cases, to a regret, they was executed by gangsters and reposed in settlements of the righteous<ref>[http://www.mospat.ru/archive/nr004261.htm Priest Anatoly Chistousov took a martyr end in the chechen captivity]</ref>.

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"For the first time, I saw the sun after four months... We lived in the basements of destroyed buildings... People were held captive in a burrow, which was very narrow, and people couldn't stand or move. Later on, as federal troops were advancing, we were moved to the mountains and placed into blindages, where up to 100-130 people lived. This lasted for 3.5 months. The blindages were completely flooded with rains. The hostages were sittings there as at a temperature of zero; the Chechens took our clothes away. It is just a miracle that the other people and I survived under those awful conditions."<ref>Paul J. Murphy (2004). [http://books.google.com/books?id=_LXfR7wNWTUC&lpg=RA1-PA245&pg=RA1-PA245#v=onepage&q&f=false ''The wolves of Islam: Russia and the faces of Chechen terror.''] p. 245</ref>

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Remains of father Anatoly were exhumated just in July, 2003 in mountains near Old Achkhoy. Now he has been buried on the Stavropol cemetry.

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On [[April 29]], 2000 Federal Security Service of the Russia passed to Metr. [[Kyrill I (Gundyayev) of Moscow|Kyrill of Smolensk]], Chairman of the External Church Relations Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, a selection of documents testifying to destiny of the priest of Michael Archangel Church, Anatoly Chistousov, abducted by the Chechen terrorists on [[January 29]], 1996. During the period, when a history of Fr. Anatoly remained unknown, the Church hierarchy attempted to obtain the freedom of the abducted priest, as well as other clergymen and the children of Church who had been captured in Chechnya. Eventually some prisoners found freedom. In other cases, regretfully, they had been executed by the gangsters and reposed in settlements of the righteous<ref>[http://www.mospat.ru/archive/nr004261.htm Priest Anatoly Chistousov took a martyr end in the chechen captivity]</ref>.

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== References ==

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<references />

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Remains of Fr. Anatoly were exhumed only in July 2003 in mountains near Old Achkhoy<ref>[http://www.e-vestnik.ru/church/podvedeny_itogi_blagotvoritelnoy_2757/ Подведены итоги благотворительной акции в помощь семье священика Анатолия Чистоусова]</ref>. Now he has been buried on the Stavropol cemetry. His tomb is within the cemetery [[chapel]].

Revision as of 16:45, July 25, 2011

Fr. Anatoly Chistousov (in world Anatoly Ivanovich Chistousov, born 1953, Kirov — killed February 14, 1996, village Old Achkhoy, Chechnya) was a priest of Russian Orthodox Church, a rector of Michael Archangel Church of city of Grozny. He was martyred in Chechnya.

Contents

Life in world

Father Anatoly Ivanovich Chistousov was born in Kirov in 1953. He graduated from a military college of navigators of the Air Forces and pedagogical institute (in absentia). In the eighties the twentieth century he served as an officer-tutor in one of military colleges of the city of Stavropol. In 1990 he became a parishioner of a Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Stavropol that had only recently been returned to believers after decades of Communism.

In 1993 he retired from of the army, becoming a major of the reserves.

On March 20, 1994, he was ordained a priest. Before his ordination he was asked by the metropolitan: "And if you will be sent where it is restlessly, where it is dangerous, will you go?" He answered: "Where you will bless, Vladyko, there and I will go. No terrestrial circumstances are terrible for me"

Serving in Chechnya

On March 21, 1994, he was appointed to help protopriest Peter Netsvetayev, the dean of Orthodox churches in the Chechen Republic. Receiving an appointment, Fr. Anatoly at once departed for Grozny, where at that time it was very dangerous.

Fr. Anatoly at once earned the love of parishioners of Michael the Archangel Church and inhabitants of the city of Grozny. Implicitly he executed obediences appointed by the dean, visited parishes for fulfilling church services, served reverentially, and aspired as soon as possible to learn services.

In December 1994 in Grozny a large-scale war operation began. The temple appeared in epicentre of the fighting; one of the first shells destroyed the second floor of the church building, some shells hit the temple, but divine services were conducted in the church cellar. Fr. Anatoly, in a cassock, went fearlessly among bullets and shells to assist the soldiers, to inhabitants who remained hidden in cellars of houses in the city. He confessed, partook communion, and baptized. His cassock was shot through by bullets in several places, but he again and again went to those who waited for him.

Soon after the beginning of war operations protopriest Peter Netsvetayev left the city and his flock. Without questioning, Fr. Anatoly, still a beginning priest, headed the parish. The city was on fire, bullets whished, terrible explosions of aerial bombs sowed destruction, but Fr. Anatoly continued to stay with his flock. He helped both Russians and Chechens as he could, shared the last that he had. Under his management the temple in baptistery, the only remaining usable part of the parish home, has been arranged. Services in the newly arranged temple were conducted constantly.

On New Year's Eve of 1995 he was forcibly taken by bandits to the Grozny railroad station, where he was ordered to appeal to Russian defense forces to surrender. In response, Fr. Anatoly said nothing and silently blessed the soldiers.

Since March 15, 1995 he was appointed the rector of Michael Archangel Church in Grozny and the dean of Orthodox churches in Chechnya. In view of disastrous financial conditions of the parish, Metr. Gedeon decided to provide for it from Diocesan funds[1].

Captivity and Martyr Death

On January 29, 1996, during the First Chechen war, Fr. Anatoly, together with archpriest Sergius Zhigulin (now Archimandrite Phillip) from External Church Relations Department, was going to meet with Brigadier General Akhmed Zakayev to negotiate the release of a soldier of the Federal Forces Boris Sorokin from Chechen captivity. However, on the way to the Chechen capital from Urus-Martan, they were captured by an armed group under Doku Makhayev's command and were placed in a concentration camp of the so-called Department of State Security of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria. Afterwards the investigation established that the order to capture the priests had been given by same Zakayev[2].

In the end of the first day of the captivity the prisoners, under the offer of Fr. Anatoly partook of the Eucharist with bread that was available for them, consecrating it with their prayers to Body of Christ making it possible to partake further[3].

From the memoirs of Fr. Sergius, "When we shared the Sacrament, Father Anatoly looked at me with an extraordinary expression. What I saw occur with him was a transfiguration. The face of Fr. Anatoly became surprisingly light, his widely opened eyes were full unprecedented light. He said, "Listen, brother, for the happiness is to suffer for the Christ, to die with His name on ones lips"[1].

After the prisoners were divided from each other, Fr. Anatoly was exposed to torture, but did not surrender himself nor renounced his belief and, as a result, he was shot by bandits. He was martyred in February 14, 1996.

Fr. Sergius survived and was released after 160 days of captivity. He writes,
"For the first time, I saw the sun after four months... We lived in the basements of destroyed buildings... People were held captive in a burrow, which was very narrow, and people couldn't stand or move. Later on, as federal troops were advancing, we were moved to the mountains and placed into blindages, where up to 100-130 people lived. This lasted for 3.5 months. The blindages were completely flooded with rains. The hostages were sittings there as at a temperature of zero; the Chechens took our clothes away. It is just a miracle that the other people and I survived under those awful conditions."[4]

On April 29, 2000 Federal Security Service of the Russia passed to Metr. Kyrill of Smolensk, Chairman of the External Church Relations Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, a selection of documents testifying to destiny of the priest of Michael Archangel Church, Anatoly Chistousov, abducted by the Chechen terrorists on January 29, 1996. During the period, when a history of Fr. Anatoly remained unknown, the Church hierarchy attempted to obtain the freedom of the abducted priest, as well as other clergymen and the children of Church who had been captured in Chechnya. Eventually some prisoners found freedom. In other cases, regretfully, they had been executed by the gangsters and reposed in settlements of the righteous[5].

Remains of Fr. Anatoly were exhumed only in July 2003 in mountains near Old Achkhoy[6]. Now he has been buried on the Stavropol cemetry. His tomb is within the cemetery chapel.